{"id":632486,"date":"2025-06-06T13:44:46","date_gmt":"2025-06-06T17:44:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=632486"},"modified":"2025-12-15T18:28:28","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T23:28:28","slug":"mounjaro-vs-ozempic-for-weight-loss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/mounjaro-vs-ozempic-for-weight-loss\/","title":{"rendered":"Mounjaro vs. Ozempic for weight loss"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mounjaro<\/span><\/a> (tirzepatide) and <\/span>Ozempic<\/span><\/a> (semaglutide) are two commonly prescribed injectable medications for managing blood sugar levels in people with <\/span>Type 2 diabetes<\/span><\/a>. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Ozempic for additional indications that Mounjaro hasn\u2019t been approved for. While <\/span>Mounjaro<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Ozempic<\/span><\/a> have some similarities, they are not exactly the same, especially when it comes to weight loss, which is an indication that\u2019s not approved by the FDA but is a common <\/span>off-label use<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

What\u2019s the difference between Mounjaro and Ozempic?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Mounjaro and Ozempic are both brand-name drugs, with no generics currently available. (It\u2019s important to note that <\/span>compounded semaglutide<\/span><\/a> or compounded tirzepatide products are not FDA approved.) Both Ozempic and Mounjaro are injected under the skin once a week, starting with a low dose and gradually increasing as instructed by the healthcare provider.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ozempic <\/span>contains the active ingredient semaglutide. For weight loss, <\/span>Ozempic<\/span><\/a> works by mimicking a natural hormone called <\/span>glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)<\/span>. It is part of the <\/span>GLP-1 agonist<\/span><\/a>, class of drugs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mounjaro contains the active ingredient tirzepatide. Although it mimics GLP-1, it also activates an additional hormone pathway: <\/span>glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP). As such, Mounjaro<\/span> is classified as a <\/span>GIP\/GLP-1 receptor agonist. <\/span>People often talk about how these drugs help reduce <\/span>food noise<\/span><\/a>, which is persistent thoughts about food and cravings that can make dieting and weight loss difficult.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Although Mounjaro and Ozempic are both FDA approved to treat adults with Type 2 diabetes, Ozempic has two additional FDA-approved uses: cardiovascular risk reduction in adults with Type 2 diabetes and heart disease, and prevention of further kidney problems and cardiovascular death in adults with Type 2 diabetes and kidney disease.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Compare Mounjaro vs. Ozempic key differences<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

<\/td>\nMounjaro<\/b><\/td>\nOzempic<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Brand or generic (manufacturer)<\/b><\/td>\nBrand (Eli Lilly)<\/span><\/td>\nBrand (Novo Nordisk)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Active ingredient<\/b><\/td>\nTirzepatide\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nSemaglutide\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Drug class<\/b><\/td>\nGIP\/GLP-1 agonist<\/span><\/td>\nGLP-1 agonist<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Uses\u00a0<\/b><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Type 2 diabetes\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Off-label for weight loss<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n
    \n
  • Type 2 diabetes<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Cardiovascular risk reduction (reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, or heart-related death)<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Kidney disease<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Off-label for weight loss<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dosage<\/b><\/td>\nThe starting <\/span>dose<\/span><\/a> is 2.5 mg injected subcutaneously (under the skin) once a week. The prescribing healthcare provider may gradually increase the dose up to a maximum of 15 mg weekly.<\/span><\/td>\nThe starting <\/span>dose<\/span><\/a> is 0.25 mg injected subcutaneously (under the skin) once a week. The prescribing healthcare provider will gradually increase the dose up to a maximum of 2 mg weekly.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
How supplied<\/b><\/td>\nPrefilled single-dose injection pen<\/span><\/p>\n

Single-dose vial<\/span><\/td>\n

Prefilled multi-dose injection pen\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Mounjaro vs. Ozempic side effects<\/span><\/h2>\n

Mounjaro<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Ozempic<\/span><\/a> have similar side effects, and many are gastrointestinal side effects. Common side effects may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, indigestion, and stomach pain. Side effects may vary by dosage. For example, some people may tolerate lower doses well but experience more side effects with higher doses.<\/span><\/p>\n

Allergic reactions may occur in rare cases. If you have hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, you should get emergency medical help.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Other serious side effects of both drugs may include pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), kidney problems, gallbladder problems, and severe stomach issues.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Mounjaro vs. Ozempic side effects comparison<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

Side effect<\/b><\/td>\nMounjaro frequency<\/b><\/td>\nOzempic frequency<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nausea<\/strong><\/td>\n12%<\/span><\/td>\n16%<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vomiting<\/strong><\/td>\n5%<\/span><\/td>\n5%<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Constipation<\/strong><\/td>\n6%<\/span><\/td>\n5%<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Diarrhea<\/strong><\/td>\n12%<\/span><\/td>\n9%<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Indigestion<\/strong><\/td>\n8%<\/span><\/td>\nN\/A<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Stomach pain<\/strong><\/td>\n6%<\/span><\/td>\n7%<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
Frequency is not based on data from a head-to-head trial. This may not be a complete list of adverse effects that can occur. Please refer to your healthcare provider to learn more.<\/span><\/i><\/h5>\n
Source: DailyMed (<\/span>Mounjaro<\/span><\/a>), DailyMed (<\/span>Ozempic<\/span><\/a>)<\/span><\/h5>\n

Mounjaro vs. Ozempic cost and insurance coverage<\/span><\/h2>\n

If you are paying without insurance, which is more expensive? The price can vary based on many factors, such as the pharmacy location, the dose, and the quantity of medication you are getting.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You can always use a <\/span>SingleCare discount<\/span><\/a> to save money on your prescriptions. You can also check the manufacturer’s website for each drug to explore other savings options. Here are some examples of out-of-pocket prices with SingleCare coupons:<\/span><\/p>\n